"painted glass fish"

[iswimnotchoke]

"When it comes to reeling in unsuspecting consumers and making a buck at the expense of animals, some stores will stop at nothing. So-called "painted glass fish" are naturally colorless and are forced to undergo a horrifying dying process to get their bright colors. These fish are dipped into an acid solution that strips off their protective "slime coat," which is a vital part of their immune system. Then they are injected or painted with semi-permanent fluorescent dyes. After all that, they are placed in an "irritant bath" to try to get their slime coat to regenerate. Most of those fish who survive the ordeal and end up on store shelves will live a few months more at best, being particularly susceptible to disease. Those who do survive longer will have lost their coloration within six to 10 months. Even most fish hobbyists agree that no reputable store would sell these fish."
-Aquaculture
-AquaTORture

 

[cincyreefer]

Agreed.... I also don't agree with genetically altered fish, but thats a whole different beast there...

 

[iswimnotchoke]

that article really does make u think..

 

[steven the fish]

I think thats pretty sad, i help out my LFS on weekends and i see people always buying these fish, if only they knew.

 

[moopiespoo]

Sad. I think these fish are quite interesting w/out being dyed.

 

[ophiura]

Originally posted by Steven the Fish
I think thats pretty sad, i help out my LFS on weekends and i see people always buying these fish, if only they knew.
Do they buy them from you? If so, you are the best source to let them know, and to inform your LFS owner as well. Same goes for "jellybean" fish (aka blood parrot cichlids). These are a man forced hybrid which is not the best thing, but many are then dyed blue, purple, green, etc which is terrible. Of course, then there are dyed corals and anemones too, which I hope no one here will buy. If it is amazingly brightly colored, bet that it is dyed and avoid it (and the store, if possible....letting the owner know why).

 

[chevman3171]

Anyone who would willingly put a fish thru that should have the same thing done to him/her. Who's with me?!

 

[thankgod4fish]

OMG! I hadn't the faintest idea that was the way those fish obtain their color. What a shame. Especially with the number of fish (salt and freshwater alike) that are naturally beautiful.
Thanks for sharing that. Now I know not to buy those.

 

[bioreefer]

cincyreefer who is tring genetically alter a fish ? I think your talking about cross breeding fish

 

[ophiura]

I believe this is in reference to a recent thread about some zebrafish (I think) that have had a gene from jellyfish inserted into their genome resulting in 'glowing' or some such thing. The scientists who did this are considering (or are) going to market these fish in the trade, though I don't believe this was the original intent of the research.

 

[buzz]

I believe the government either banned the possession/sale of those, or confiscated them, etc. I know they stepped in to stop it, out of concern for the possibility of them being introduced into the local waters.

 

[bioreefer]

ok ok I see what you mean for an example I took genes from jellyfish and put them with apple cells made the cell glow. did it in my college biology class.